Columbus Blue Jackets: A Look at the Team's Up-and-Coming Rookies

The Columbus Blue Jackets have always been known as a team that likes to build their team through the Entry Draft and building their talent through their farm system.

Players like Rick Nash, Derick Brassard and recently Ryan Johansen were all first round picks that quickly made an impact on the Jackets' young roster.

This offseason, Columbus fans saw a whole different side of the Blue Jackets when they traded away their coveted first round pick to acquire All-Star center Jeff Carter from the Philadelphia Flyers.

The team's front office realized that they needed a "win-now" attitude and decided to go out of their comfort zone.

Even though they traded away their first round pick, the Blue Jackets still did a nice job improving their farm system with their late round picks.

Players like Boone Jenner, Seth Ambroz and Thomas Tynan will now join the pool of talented youth that should be arriving in Columbus in the near future.

Although these three still have quite some time before turning pro, here are five prospects who could soon be finding a permanent home in Columbus. 

Tomáš Kubalík

Blue Jacket fans got a small taste of what young Czech Tomas Kubalik brings to the table at the end of last season when he was called up by Columbus.

Kubalik, a fifth round pick in the 2008 Draft, did well in his first season with the team's AHL affiliate Springfield Falcons recording 24 goals and 29 assists in 76 games played, leading the team in goal's and points.

While with the Jackets, Kubalik tallied two assists in just four games and was a big help on the team's fourth line.

There were questions in the offseason as to whether or not the 20-year-old would start this season with the Blue Jackets, but unfortunately for him, the Jackets' wing positions were taken up by the team's surplus of centers and Kubalik found himself on the outside looking in.

Kubalik has a chance of spending some time in Columbus this season as he is one of the team's top prospects.

He is a gritty forward that has no problem going to the net and scoring dirty goals.

Kubalik isn't afraid of getting into scrums out on the ice, but needs to improve his physical strength if he wants to go toe-to-toe with the top fighters in the NHL.

Kubalik currently has three goals and six points in 18 games played with the Falcons this season.

David Savard

One player that Jackets fans can't wait to see for the long-term is 21-year-old defenseman David Savard.

Savard was drafted by the Blue Jackets back in the fourth round of the 2009 NHL Draft and spent last season with the Falcons.

In his first AHL season, Savard played in 72 games and led all defenseman in points with 73. He would also tally 11 goals as well as a team-high 32 assists.

Savard's impressive play earned him some time with the Jackets at the start of this season, but he registered just two assists in seven games before being sent back down to Springfield.

Although Savard still has a ways to go in his progression, his improvement since being drafted has been the best of any Jackets' prospect.

Savard is a solid skater that plays an airtight game when in his own zone. Looking at his stats from last season also shows that he is not too shabby when it comes to the offense as well.

If Savard can keep up the pace he is on, the Jackets could have themselves a fourth round steal for the future.

Currently, Savard has two goals and 10 points in 20 games with Springfield and has registered a +4 plus/minus rating.

Cody Goloubef

If David Savard is the top Jackets defenseman who has yet to play a full season in the NHL, then 22-year-old Cody Goloubef would be the second best.

Goloubef was drafted in the second round by the Jackets back in 2008 and spent his first season with Springfield last year.

Before making his AHL debut, Goloubef spent some time at the University of Wisconsin where he helped lead the team to the National Championship game in 2010, but fell short to Boston College.

In his first season with the Falcons, the Ontario native skated in 50 of the team's 80 games, contributing five goals and 12 assists in his first pro season.

Goloubef is an intelligent defenseman that has a great shot and displays tremendous poise with the puck.

His on-ice vision is top notch and he has great skating ability, as he is able to combine speed with powerful and fluid strides.

Goloubef can create several scoring chances, but doesn't get caught up in the offensive zone, allowing for odd-man rushes the other way.

Currently, Goloubef has registered eight assists in 21 games with the Falcons.

The youngster still has another year or two before he cracks the Jackets' blue line, but when he does, he could quickly become one of the team's best defenseman. 

Boone Jenner

Even with the surplus at the center position, the Jackets still saw something special in 18-year-old Boone Jenner and drafted him in the second round of the 2011 Draft.

The youngster had a sensational year in the OHL with the Oshawa Generals last season, scoring 25 goals and registering 66 points as one of the team's best players.

Jenner spent some time with the Jackets during the preseason, but in the end returned to the OHL for another year.

So far this season, Jenner has continued to be one of the team's leaders and offensive stars, tallying 15 goals and 18 assists in only 27 games.

He still has some time before making the move to the big leagues, but soon there may not be anything left in the OHL for the youngster to achieve.

Jenner is an above-average faceoff man and aside from his offensive skill, can also block shots and drop the gloves when the situation calls for it.

If he continues to improve his game, he and rookie Ryan Johansen could become two of the best young centers in the NHL.

Cam Atkinson

In the sixth round of the 2008 Entry Draft, the Jackets selected Boston College winger Cam Atkinson.

Atkinson returned to Boston College for his sophomore season in 2009-2010 and led the team with 53 points (recorded a team high 30 goals).

He was awarded the NCAA Northeast Region Most Outstanding Player and scored a pair of goals in the Eagles National Championship victory over Cody Goloubef and the Wisconsin Badgers.

After an impressive junior season where he led the team in goals with 31, Atkinson made his AHL debut with Springfield, playing in five games and scoring three goals and two assists.

Going into the team's offseason training camp, the chances of Atkinson making the Jackets' opening day roster were slim because of his small size.

However, Atkinson put together one of the best camps of any prospect and earned a spot on the team's third and fourth lines.

The Connecticut native played in five games and scored one goal before being sent back to Springfield as the Jackets were trying to shake things up after a slow start.

Although undersized, Atkinson shows no fear when it comes to battling larger opponents. He has no problem going to the net and can play well in all three zones.

The youngster brings with him great speed, stick-handling ability and an accurate and quick shot.

Atkinson is currently second in points for the Falcons this season with 22, including 14 goals and eight assists, in 26 games.

If Atkinson continues to impress in Springfield, there is a chance Jacket fans will see him in Columbus again before seasons end.